After a week half of being struck down by fever, sinuses and everything else, I attempted a short hike with Susan (one of the teachers from my school) and two of her friends. We were just doing a short hike, 3 1/2 hours or so, which was good. I probably could have gone further but I was tired after we finished. The hiking was a lot harder will I was still coughing away and finding it hard to breathe deeply. It was a good time. First time I've driven to Gyeryongsan, rather then taking the bus. The Cherry Blossoms are starting to bud, and soon will be in full bloom. The entire rode up to and through town is arched over by Cherry Blossoms, so it will be quite the drive into town. Hopefully they'll be blossoming when my parents arrive in a couple weeks. It would be a nice, unexpected treat for them. After our hike we had lunch at the mountain, then headed home. Everyone was a tired. Exercise followed by a full stomach equals sleepy time. For the hike, we did the usual start up the pagodas, but then took a different path I haven't taken before. It was odd but neat being the guide this time.
Everyone posing on a bridge near the start of the path hike. Susan in the blue, her two friends and some guy next to them.
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This was our lunch stop at the pagodas. We monopolized 2 of the 3 benches. No one seemed to complain though.
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The damage from the heavy snow storm was still apparent, with broken limbs everywhere, and huge trees uprooted.
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Signs of life were start to show. Since I've been here last fall, everything has been dead. It's nice to see green again. Flowers like these were all over.
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A giant rock covered a small basement looking area. Susan said this was probably an old place of prayer for the monks.
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The girls, just a short way head. Notice the flowers dangling over head. The only none purple ones I saw.
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This is the water hole for the prayer location above. It is just down a few steps from the rock.
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These signs are all over Gyeryongsan, giving distance info and your position incase of emergencies. I call the cartoon character "The Happy Monk."
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A couple of the Cherry Blossom trees. These two were blooming more than the rest. I like the van too. I didn't even notice it when I was there, taking the picture.
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